Originally Posted by
Sniper
If you think some of our regionals can do the job on the cheap, you 'aint seen nothin' yet - the costs, or lack there of, that the Chinese will ultimately be able to unleash on the markets they have access to will make even the most efficient low cost operators and RJ pilot pushing outfits blush with envy. If you don't want the entire US aviation industry to be stamped with a 'made in China', you better get behind ALPA. Like it or not, ALPA's all we've all got right now.
Sniper,
I agree and this is exactly what I was alluding to. The airline pilot unions should focus on the big picture instead of fighting over the scraps. They seem to be chasing their tails and ignoring the key issues. Their primary focus seems to be damage control to the "major" airline contracts. ALPA has become a "contract concessions management consultant". I understand it's a sensitive issue but with some education from ALPA I believe the "regional" pilots would support stronger scope at the "mainline" carriers and "mainline" pilots would be willing to fly 70-80-90 seat "regional" jets. ALPA needs to prioritize it's concerns and in this order:
1. SCOPE. Stamp out and reverse the outsourcing/codeshare/wholly owned sickness, etc. by reversing the scope concessions.
2. CODE-SHARE. Show leadership and stop condoning the current caste system of the "regional" vs. "mainline" pilot groups. Educate the new airline pilot about the whipsaw tactics of airline managements. The term "regional" shouldn't even be in the ALPA lexicon.
4. CONTRACTS. Win back the concessions; especially benefits and pensions.
5. OPENSKIES/CABOTAGE. Prepare for the Chinese/Indian invasion. Aircraft manufacturers and pilots!
Everything else is to be put on a back burner until these priorities are accomplished. If not then the downward spiral will continue until they are weakened to the point of not being able to fight against the coming war on cabotage protection.
winglet